The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-10-26
Ha must back out of it at al

thousandl He must back out OF IT at ali
na n ook nore, he stammered, trains Just
off NGo Cant poss;biy 20, but I'll come to-
morrow, Take Mrs Silverton to Paris; she
il going to stay with friends; you'll find
room ordered for me ut the Grana. 2nes N
that first class carriage there. III Hrite anu u
explain tonight. Go on, man. or you'll miss
the tramp ., .ho
guard, ..,,,ou.,n
.I'll write and explain, tell you. say IN I'm
detained, and will come .to-m0rroW! ANA
Mr.. Rapless bolted, while Mr.: Langton.
the carriage and found himself alone with
Mrs. Silverton.
1t was strange journey. After making
very lame explanation the gentleman uttered
not word, while the LADY, who felt on the
verge of mysteries, was. by no means disposed
for ordinary conversation:
When they reached Folkestone she an
nonnced her intention Of returning.
You can't" said Langton, declslVe1y.
"But he may never come ~ said the widow,
almost sobbing.
Possibly not but to go back now would
make you look ridiculous"
This settled it, and she meekly obeyed. IN
fact, she felt in such a frame of mind that
she was glad to resign herself into his hands.
They scarcely spoke again before reaching
Paris, but during the journey, Langton was
so unobstrusively attentive ana conSiue alad
| that she had consented to elope with him IN
stead of with his rival At Paris, he touk her
to her friends house, and himself repaired to
| the Grand, promising to stay q few days ana
sTait the course OF events; Ihey were NOT not
Mrs. Silverton, which caused her to SEND at
once for John Langdon. lie found her
bathed in tears.
. Read this!' she sobbed.
| And this was what he read:
Dear Mrs. SilvertOn-l am exceedingly
sorry to be unable to keep my engagement
with you, but the unexpected death OF my
brother demands my immediate presence IN
| Scotland. Under these altered circumstances
ing that union between US is imposlb bic.
Apologizing for the Inconvenience aud dis
appointment have caused You, l am, YOUR
sincere friend, PERCY RAPLEss."
What an internal scoundrel !" calculated
| John Langton. ~
II don't care straw for him, said Mrs.
Silverton. II hate him; but he has made
me look, such f-f-fool!' and her tears
| flowed afresh.
John Langtop's face assumed very pecu-
liar expression; he paced up and down once
or twice breathing very hard, and muttering
to hln,self. Then he walked straight up, to
the chair ON which she sat, dropped on his
knees, ard seized her hand.
| tive me The rlgnt 10 pToIeCt your! ue
said.
"What do you mean?"
marry me ! have loved You all along: but
7 never said SO, because thought YOU would
imagine it was not you, but money. Now.
perhaps you will believe me.n
Mrs. Silverton did not withdraw her hand,
nor did she answer for few minutes.
| Wont you say "es?"
'It liz too ridiculous" she muTmured:
''but wish you had spoken sooner; l always
liked YOU better than that"
Owing to demonstration on Langton's
part the sentence was never completed:
There was a terrible row at Covert Castle
when MIR, Percy Rapless, or Lord Cofferton,
as he fondly imagined himself to be, arrived
there. The major made no secret Of the fact
that it was he who sent the lying telegram;
he exulted in the success of his stratsgem,
and openly jeered at his discounted foe.
This was rather more than Mr.. Rapless could
stand and he resorted to violence. A mill re-
suited, In which the Hon. Percy came of de.
cidcdly second best. They were finally sepa-
rated by the servants, but az Mr.. Raplesf
was borne off, bruised and bleeding, ne
shouted final taunt. You've sold me,
curse you: but you've done yourself mighty
little good. I'll bet you, ten to one, she
marries Langton in fortnight!'
And Mr.. Rapless was right, for she did,
, London TRUTH